Textile drafting roll pressure applying means



g- 11, 1964 J. R. WHITEHURST 3,143,772

TEXTILE DRAFTING ROLL PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS Filed April 8, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J0E- R. WHWEHLIEST 69.9: wahhmg A g- 1954 J. R.WHITEHURST 3,143,772

TEXTILE DRAFTING ROLL PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS Filed April 8, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Joe R. WHITEHLJR$T United States Patent 3,143,772 TEXTILEDRAFTING ROLL PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS Joe R. Whitehurst, Bessemer City,N.C., assignor to Ideal Industries, Inc, Bessemer City, N.C., acorporation of North Carolina Filed Apr. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 271,275 11Claims. (Cl. 19-272) This invention relates to an improved fluidoperated apparatus for applying pressure to the drafting rolls oftextile fiber processing machinery, such as drawing frames, rovingframes, spinning frames and the like, and it is an object of thisinvention to provide a simple and efiicient fluid operated apparatuswhich is capable of accurately applying predetermined pressure to theends of each drafting roll of a drafting mechanism independently of thepressure applied to the ends of other drafting rolls.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fluid operatedpressure applying apparatus of the type described wherein an individualself-contained pressure applying unit is provided for each end of eachtop drafting roll and wherein pressure may be introduced into each unitat its location independently of the others, which avoids the necessityof providing fluid pressure lines, such as are required in prior artdevices, on the textile machinery and the attendant pressure source orpump.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a new andimproved apparatus for applying downward pressure to opposite ends ofeach top roll of a series of top and bottom drafting rolls whereinbracket means overlies the ends of the top rolls and means, including anindividual expansible chamber, is positioned between each top draftingroll end and the bracket means for applying downward pressure to thecorresponding top roll ends, with an individual manually releasablecheck valve communicating with the interior of each expansible chamberfor directing fluid pressure into and maintaining fluid pressure in eachexpansible chamber independently of the other chambers. Thus, thepressure applied to each end of each top drafting roll may be varied atwill independently of the pressure applied to the other top roll ends.Generally the pressure applied to each end of any one of the top rollswould be the same, but would diifer from the pressure applied to opposedends of other top drafting rolls in the same or in an adjacent series.Thus, the present invention facilitates the drafting of textile fibersof ditferent characteristics or types through adjacent roll sections ordrafting zones of a given drafting machine, for example.

It is another more specific object of this invention to provide apressure applying means for the top drafting rolls of a draftingmechanism comprising an individual pressure applying unit for each endof each top roll wherein each unit includes a plunger adapted to bearagainst the corresponding end portion of a corresponding roll, oragainst the bearing within which the corresponding end of the roll isjournaled, and wherein an axially extensible hollow chamber engages theupper end of each plunger in air-tight engagement therewith, a closuremember or cap is provided for the upper end of each chamber, and a checkvalve unit is connected to the cap and adapted to receive an airpressure pipe thereon for introducing a predetermined amount of airpressure into the chamber, and common support means is provided for theclosure members of the pressure applying units at each side of eachgroup of drafting rolls.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a top plan View of aportion of a textile fiber drafting machine embodied in a drawing frameprovided with two drafting zones or roll sections and showing theimproved drafting roll pressure applying apparatus in association withopposed ends of the top drafting rolls of each roll section;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, with parts broken away,taken substantially along line 22 in FIGURE 1, but showing theindividual pressure applying units in elevation;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takenlongitudinally of the axes of corresponding top and bottom draftingrolls, substantially along line 33 in FIGURE 1, with the centermostpressure applying unit being shown in cross-section;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3, and showing a preferred formof check-valve unit for use with the expansible chamber of each pressureapplying unit; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to the upper central portion of FIGURE 3, butshowing a modified form of expansible chamber.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and to FIGURE 1, inparticular, the numerals 10, 10' broadly designate respective draftingzones or roll sections of a textile fiber processing machine, such as adrawing frame, roving frame, spinning frame or the like and which, inthis instance, is shown in the form of a drawing frame. Since both rollsections 10, 10 may be identical, only the roll section 10 will bedescribed and like parts associated with the roll section 111' will bearthe same reference characters with the prime notation added, whereapplicable, to avoid repetitive description.

In this instance, roll section 19 includes a series of sets of top andbottom drafting rolls 11, 12, there being four top rolls 11 and fourbottom rolls 12 in the series shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, by way ofexample. Opposed ends of the top drafting rolls 11, and correspondingportions of the bottom drafting rolls 12 are mounted in correspondingsubstantially U-shaped bearing blocks 14, the centermost bearing blocks14 in FIGURE 1 being common to the top and bottom drafting rolls in bothroll sections 10, 10'. Corresponding ends of each pair or set of top andbottom drafting rolls 11, 12 are mounted in a corresponding bearingblock 14.

It will be observed in FIGURE 3 that corresponding ends of the top andbottom drafting rolls 11, 12 are journaled in respective tubular bearingmembers 15, 16 positioned in the bearing blocks 14. Since the draftingrolls 11, 12 are shown in the form of fluted rolls, the bearings 15, 16preferably have respective enlarged boss portions 17, 18 thereon whoseexternal diameters are substantially equal to the pitch diameters of thefluted rolls 11, 12 to thereby maintain the axes of the drafting rolls11, 12 of each set in accurately spaced relationship when each bossportion 17 is resting upon the corresponding boss portion 18.

In this instance, the proximal ends of adjacent bottom drafting rolls ofthe two roll sections 10, 10 are interconnected by a conventional rollerneck 21 extending through the corresponding tubular bearing member 16.The reduced medial portion of each bearing member 16 rests upon thebottom of the groove in the corresponding U-shaped bearing block 14while each end of each top drafting roll 11 is journaled in anindependent tubular bearing member 15 which is free to move upwardly anddownwardly within the groove of the corresponding U- shaped bearingblock 14.

Since the drafting rolls 11, 12 of each set must be adjustable relativeto the other drafting rolls of each set, in accordance with thecharacteristics of the fibers to be drafted and the amount of draft tobe imparted thereto,

thebearing blocks 14 of each group, of which three groups are shown inFIGURE 1, are mounted for forward and rearward relative adjustment on acorresponding frame member or roll stand 22. Each roll stand 22 isprovided with a longitudinally extending adjustment slot 23 therethroughwhich is loosely penetrated by screws 25 threaded into the correspondingbearing blocks 14. s

In the present illustration, textile strands S, S pass from a suitablesource, not shown, through the respective roll sections 10, where theyare drafted, after which they are condensed as they are drawn throughcorresponding trumpets T, T and thus directed to coiler cans of othersuitable carriers C, C. o w

According to the present invention, an individual fluidpressure-operatedpressure applying unit, broadly designated at 30, is positioned aboveeach end of each top drafting roll 11, 11, the pressure applying units30 associated with each group of top roll ends being supported by acommon bracket broadly designated at 31. Each bracket 31 is spaced aboveand normally overlies each group of corresponding ends of the topdrafting rolls 11, 11. Each bracket 31 comprises a pair of elongatesubstantially parallel spaced apart side rails or frame members 32, 33which are bent inwardly toward each other at their lower edges to form abottom frame member or wall 34 having a longitudinally extendingadjustment slot 35 therein. The upper portions of side frame members 32,33 also extend inwardly toward each other to form a top wall or topframe member 36 which is also provided with a longitudinally extendingslot 37 therein, preferably of lesser width than the slot 35 in bottomframe member 34.

The rear ends of frame members 32, 33, 34, 36 are connected to or formedintegral with a rear wall member or block 40 which is journaled, as at41, on a corresponding standard or post 42. The lowerend of each post 42is suitably secured to thecorresp'onding roll stand 22 In this instance,although a single post 42 is provided for pivotally supporting the rearportions of each of the two outermost brackets 31, it is apparent thatthe centermost post 42 of FIGURE 1 is common to the two centermostbrackets 31.

The front ends of the frame members 32, 33, 34, 36 of each bracket 31are connected to a commonupright plate member 45 which projectsdownwardly beyond the bottom frame member 34 of the correspondingbracket 31 and is adapted to rest against a corresponding block 46 whichis suitably secured to the corresponding front bearing block 14 andforms a part of the frame of the machine. The plate 45 of each bracket31 has a hook member 47 fixed thereon, and projecting forwardlytherefrom, which is adapted to be engaged by a latch member 50 pivotallymounted, as at 51, on the corresponding block 46. It is apparent thatthe single block 46 at the central portion of the drawing frame inFIGURE 1 serves to support the latch members 50 for both of thecentrally located brackets 31, while a single latch member is carried bythe two outermost blocks 46 in FIGURE 1.

Each pressure applying unit includes an expansible chamber 60 positionedbetween the upper frame member 36 of the corresponding bracket 31 andeach respective top roll end, with a corresponding check valve unit 63communicating with each expansible chamber 613 so that any desiredamount of fluid pressure, preferably compressed air, may be introducedinto each expansible chamber to maintain any desired amount of pressurein each expansible chamber independently of all the other expansiblechambers for applying a corresponding downward pressure to thecorresponding top roll end. Accordingly, inthe embodiment shown inFIGURES 2 and 3, the expansible chamber 60 of each pressure applyingunit 30 is shown in the form of a hollow bellows which is in the form ofa tubular body made from metal and having annular corrugations thereon,and which is of well-known construction.

The upper end of each bellows or expansible chamber 60 is welded orotherwise suitably secured to a closure member or cap 61 which isadapted to bear against the lower surface of the top frame member 36 ofthe corresponding bracket 31. An individual check valve unit 63 isprovided for each expansible chamber 60 and includes a tubular body 62suitably secured to and projecting upwardly from the cap 61 so that body62 communicates. with the interior of expansible chamber 60. In thisinstance, the valve body 62 is shown as being threaded into thecorresponding cap 61 in FIGURE 3.

The lower end of each .bellows or .expansible chamber 6%) is closed by aclosure plate 65 which bears against and may be adhesively or otherwisesuitably secured to the upper surface of a ram plunger 66, which extendsthrough slot 35 in the bottom wall 34 of the corresponding bracket 31,and whose lower end is adapted to bear against one end of thecorresponding top drafting roll 11 or against the enlarged portion 17 ofthe corresponding bearing member 15, as the case may be. The lower endof eachplunger 66 is preferably provided with a concave groove 67 whichis adapted to fit in mating relationship with the enlarged portion 17 ofthe correspo nding bearing member 15.

The upper portion of each plunger 66 is provided with v a flange orshoulder 70 which is preferably, but not necesa sarily, annular andoverlies the bottom frame member or wall 34 of the corresponding bracket31 so that, when the latch member 5t associated with any one of thebrackets 31 is released and the corresponding bracket is pivotedupwardly away from the corresponding ends of the top drafting rolls, theexpansible chambers will maintain the respective caps 61 and flanges 70of the corresponding pressure applying units 30 in pressure engagementwith the proximal surfaces of the corresponding frame members 36, 34,thus preventing unintentional displacement of the pressure applyingunits 30 relative to the corresponding brackets 31.

Since the check valve units 63 are of a manually re leasable type, it isapparent that fluid pressure or compressed air may be exhausted orreleased from within the corresponding expansible chambers 60 wheneverit becomes necessary to adjust the pressure applying units 30 relativeto the corresponding brackets 31,such as when the spacing betweenadjacent sets of top and bottom rolls is changed. Each of the checkvalve units 63 is preferably of the type usually connected to the innertubes of pneumatic tires, a typical check valve construction of thistype being shown in detail in FIGURE 4. The body 62 of each check valveunit 63 shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 has a valve cap 73 threadedly mountedthereon. However, the valve cap 73 is omitted in FIGURE 4.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the upper portion of tubular body 62 of each checkvalve unit 63 has a tubular core 74 seated therein, as by being threadedinto the upper portion of tubular body 62. A medial portion of tubularcore 74 has an internal annular projection 75 therein against which thelower end of a compression spring 76 is positioned. The compressionspring encircles a valve plunger 77 whose upper end terminates incloseproximity to the upper end of tubular body 62' and whose medialportion is provided with an abutment 80 thereon which is engaged by theupper end of compression spring 76, thus normally urging valve plunger77 upwardly. The lower end portion of valve plunger 77 has a valve 82suitably fixed thereon which normally seats against the open lower endof tubular core 74, to whic h position valve 82 is urged by compressionspring'76, thus preventing fluid pressure from escaping from within thecorresponding expansible chamber 60. Valve 82 may be moved downwardly,when desired, to open position in spaced relation below the lower end oftubular core 74 by applying pressure to the upper end of valve plunger77 to permit fluid pressure to escape from the corresponding expansiblechamber 60 through the tubular core 74 and tubular body 62 of the checkvalve unit 63.

It is thus seen that the conventional chuck on one'end of a hose orconduit connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure, such ascompressed air, may be positioned on the free ends of the tubular bodies62 of the check valve units 63, one at a time, for introducing anydesired amount of fluid pressure into the corresponding expansiblechambers 60 so that the amount of pressure applied to each end of eachtop drafting roll is independent of the amount of pressure applied tothe other ends of the top drafting rolls. Since the aforementioned chuckis of a well-known type, as is used in automobile service stations, anillustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

In order to facilitate an operator introducing a predetermined amount offluid pressure into each of the expansible chambers 69, it iscontemplated that a portable compressed air tank With a pressure gaugethereon and a pipe extending therefrom with a conventional chuck on thefree end thereof may be used for this purpose.

It is thus seen that I have provided a novel apparatus for applyingpressure to opposed ends of top drafting rolls wherein bracket meansoverlie the ends of the top drafting rolls and an individual pressureapplying unit 39, including an expansible chamber 69, is positionedbetween each top roll end and the bracket means, and wherein anindividual check valve unit is provided which communicates with theinterior of each expansible chamber oil, which check valve unit includesa tubular body terminating in a free end which is adapted forintroducing fluid pressure, preferably compressed air, into eachexpansible chamber independently of the other chambers to thereby applya predetermined pressure to each top roll end inde-- pendently of theamount of pressure applied to the other of the top roll ends. Thisarrangement facilitates the drafting of fibers of differentcharacteristics through the adjacent roll sections 1%, since, forexample, the ends of the top drafting rolls 11 in roll section 10 mayhave greater or lesser pressure applied thereto by the present apparatusthan the pressure which is applied to the opposed ends of the topdrafting rolls 11' of roll section 10', dependhig upon the diflerencesin the types of fibers being drafted through the two roll sections 10,16.

Referring to FIGURE 5, a modified form of pressure applying unit isshown, which is similar to the form heretofore described, but whereinthe expansible chamber is shown in the form of an externally boundflexible or pliable tube made from rubber or the like, whereas theexpansible chamber 653 shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 is in the form of ametal tubular bellows. Those parts of FIG- URE 5 corresponding to partsshown in the upper central portion of FIGURE 3, for example, will bearthe same reference characters with the letter a added, in order to avoidrepetitive description.

In order to accommodate attachment of the opposed ends of the pliabletube 69a to the proximal ends of cap 61a and plunger 66a, the proximalends of the cap 61a and plunger 66a in FIGURE 5 are provided withrespective reduced portions or shoulders 85, 86 about which opposed endportions of the pliable tube 69a are fitted. The opposed end portions ofpliable tube 66a may be adhesively or otherwise secured to cap 61a andplunger 66a. Binding means is provided to insure that fluid pressuredoes not fracture the Wall of the pliable tube 66a or force tube 60aoutwardly against the proximal surfaces of the side frame members 32a,33a of the corresponding bracket 31a, and to also prevent opposed endportions of the pliable tube tla from being separated from the cap 61aand/or the plunger 66a by fluid pressure within the pliable tube 6911.To this end, the pliable tube 66a is bound or encircled by a pluralityof closely axially spaced binding rings 90 which are preferably madefrom metal and whose inner diameters are preferably slightly less thanthe normal external diameter of the pliable tube 60a when in relaxedcondition so that the wall of the pliable tube 60a is corrugatedsubstantially throughout its length. Thus, upon fluid pressure beingadmitted into the pliable tube 60a, it is apparent that very little ifany lateral or radial expansion of the pliable tube 60a will occur sothat the pressure is efficiently applied to the upper end of the plunger66a and, in turn, to the end of the corresponding top roll.

La the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

I claim:

1. In a textile drafting mechanism having a series of top and bottomdrafting rolls, apparatus for applying pressure to opposed ends of thetop rolls comprising (a) bracket means overlying said top roll ends,

(19) means positioned between said bracket means and said top roll endsfor applying a downward pressure to the corresponding top roll ends andincluding an expansible chamber disposed between each top roll end andsaid bracket means, and

(0) means including a check valve communicating with the interior ofeach expansible chamber for directing fluid pressure into andmaintaining fluid pressure in each chamber independently of the otherchambers.

2. In a textile drafting mechanism having a series of top and bottomdrafting rolls, apparatus for applying pressure to opposed ends of thetop rolls comprising (a) bracket means overlying said top roll ends,

(b) means positioned between said bracket means and said top roll endsfor applying a downward pressure to the corresponding top roll ends andincluding an expansible chamber disposed between each top roll end andsaid bracket means, and

(c) an individual check valve unit communicating with the interior ofeach expansible chamber and including a tubular body adapted fordirecting fluid pressure into each chamber independently of the otherchambers and normally preventing fluid pressure from escaping from eachchamber.

3. A structure according to claim 2, wherein said tubular bodyterminates in a free end closely adjacent the corresponding chamber.

4. A structure according to claim 2, in which said expansible chamber isa tubular bellows.

5. A structure according to claim 2, in which said expansible chambercomprises a pliable tube, and a plurality of closely spaced bindingrings encircling said tube and being of lesser inner diameter than theexternal diameter of said tube when in relaxed condition to restrictexpansion of said tube radially of its axis.

6. In a textile drafting mechanism having a series of top and bottomdrafting rolls, apparatus for applying pressure to opposed ends of thetop rolls comprising (a) bracket means overlying said top roll ends,

(b) a cap positioned above each top roll end,

(0) a plunger spaced beneath each cap and adapted to apply pressure tothe corresponding top roll end,

(d) an expansible chamber positioned between each of said caps and thecorresponding plunger therebeneath, the expansion of each chamberserving to apply a downward pressure to the corresponding plunger and,in turn, to the corresponding top roll end, and

(e) an individual check valve unit communicating with the interior ofeach expansible chamber and having a tubular body terminating in a freeend adapted to receive thereon a chuck on one end of a pipe extendingfrom a fluid pressure source for introducing fluid pressure into eachchamber independently of the other chambers.

7. In a drafting mechanism having a series of top and bottom draftingrolls, apparatus for applying pressure to opposed ends of the top rollscomprising 7 p 7 V (a) an individualself-containedfiuid-pressure-operated pressure applying unit for eachend of each top roll including 7 (l) an expansible chamber,

(2) a plunger on one end of said chamber adapted to apply pressure tothe corresponding top roll end,

(3) a cap on the other end of said chamber opposite from said plunger,

(4) an individual manually releasable check valve unit attached to andcommunicating with j the interior of each chamber and being arranged topermit introduction of fluid pressurefrom an external source into eachchamber independently of the other chambers and to prevent fluidpressure from escaping from each chamber, and

(b) bracket means overlying said top roll ends and against which saidcaps are positioned, 8. Apparatus for applying downward pressure to the53 in the corresponding bearing blocks; apparatus for applying pressureto opposed ends of the top drafting rolls comprising (a) a pair ofbrackets overlying at least portions of said bearing members at eachside of said series of drafting rolls, each bracket including an upperelongate frame member and a lower elongate frame member spaced beneaththe upper frame member and having a longitudinally extending "slottherein,-

(b) means for releasably securing each bracket in a fixed, substantiallyhorizontal position spaced above the corresponding top roll ends andcorresponding bearing members, r v

(c) a plunger for each top roll end bearing member and having a lowerend adapted to engage the corresponding bearing member and looselyextending through said slot, l

(d) shoulder means on each plunger and spaced from the lower end thereofand normally being spaced above, but being adapted to engage, the uppersurface top rolls of a drafting mechanism for textile strands andwherein each top roll is positioned above a corresponding bottom roll,-said apparatus comprising (a) an individual plunger'for applyingdownward pressure to each. end of each top roll, I

(b) bracket means spaced above the ends of said top 5 7 rolls,

(c) a cap member spaced above each plunger and engageable with saidbracket means,

(d) ahollow longitudinally expansible chamber extending between and inair-tight engagement with each plunger and the respective cap memberthereabove, t

(e) a tubular valve body communicatively connected to and extendingoutwardly from each cap member and adapted to receive the chuck of anair pressure hose thereon, and V t (f) a manually releasable check valvein each valve body preventing escapementof air pressure from within eachexpansible chamber whereby any air pressure in each expansible chambermaintains the corresponding plunger in pressure engagement with thecorresponding top roll end, and whereby the amount of pressure appliedto each top roll end may be established independently of the amount ofpressure applied to the other ,top roll ends. 7 V

9.- In a textile drafting machine having a frame, bearing blocks carriedby said frame, at, least one series of top and bottom drafting rollsmounted in said bearing blocks, and bearing members in which opposedends of the top rolls are journaled and being vertically movable of thecorresponding lower elongate frame member, (e) an expansible chamberengageable with the upper end of each plunger,

(f) means on the upper end of each expansible chamber and engageablewith the lower surface of the corresponding upper elongate frame member,and

(g) an individual check valve unit including a tubular body connected tosaid last-named means and communicating with the interior of saidexpansible chamber and adapted for introducing fluid pressure into thecorresponding expansible chamber independently of the other chambers,said shoulder means on each plunger serving to restrict movement of theplunger relative to the corresponding bracket when said bracket isreleased from said securing means.

10. A structure according to claim 9, including means pivotallysupporting one end of each bracket for movement about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, and said securing means (b) including a releasablelatch means attaching the other end of each bracket to said frame.

11. A structure according to claim 10, including means limiting theextent to which said other end of each bracket may be moved toward thecorresponding top roll end bearing members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,624,077 Winslow Jan. 6, 1953

1. IN A TEXTILE DRAFTING MECHANISM HAVING A SERIES OF TOP AND BOTTOMDRAFTING ROLLS, APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO OPPOSED ENDS OF THETOP ROLLS COMPRISING (A) BRACKET MEANS OVERLYING SAID TOP ROLL ENDS, (B)MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID BRACKET MEANS AND SAID TOP ROLL ENDS FORAPPLYING A DOWNWARD PRESSURE TO THE CORRESPONDING TOP ROLL ENDS ANDINCLUDING AN EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER DISPOSED BETWEEN EACH TOP ROLL END ANDSAID BRACKET MEANS, AND (C) MEANS INCLUDING A CHECK VALVE COMMUNICATINGWITH THE INTERIOR OF EACH EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER FOR DIRECTING FLUIDPRESSURE INTO AND MAINTAINING FLUID PRESSURE IN EACH CHAMBERINDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER CHAMBERS.